Number of traffic offence sentences imposed in courts of first instance decreased by 13 per cent in 2022

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release | Prosecutions, sentences and punishments 2022

According to Statistics Finland, 51,186 criminal convictions were given in courts of first instance in 2022, which is six per cent fewer than in 2021. The number of traffic offence sentences decreased most, in 2022 there were 13 per cent fewer such sentences than one year earlier. Offences against the public authorities and public order increased most, by 13 per cent from the previous year.

Key selections

  • In 2022, the sentences imposed for sexual offences increased compared with the previous year by five per cent in main offences and by 14 per cent in imputable offences.
  • The number of unconditional imprisonment sentences went down by three per cent and that of conditional imprisonment sentences by seven per cent from 2021.
  • Eight per cent fewer fines were issued by district courts than one year earlier, most often fines were issued for petty thefts (16%) and driving while intoxicated (12%).
  • Decisions by courts of appeal in criminal cases differ from decisions by district courts more often than before, as the court of appeal confirmed the decision of the district court in 78 per cent of cases in 2016 and in 72 per cent of the cases in 2022.

Figures

See key statistical data in the figures.

Persons sentenced to imprisonment by offence category 2014-2022

Decisions by courts of appeal compared with decisions by district courts by offence category 2016-2022

Database tables

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Updated database tables
Classifications used:
  • Offence group
  • District Court Judgment
  • Court of appeal
  • Court of Appeal judgment
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Court of appeal
  • Offence group
  • Penalty change at Court of Appeal
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Offence group
  • Court of appeal
  • Appellant
  • Court of Appeal decision
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Offence group
  • Places of residence
  • Nationality
  • Statistic
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Gender
  • Court
  • Age
  • Principal offence
  • Duration of the prohibition
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Gender
  • Court
  • Age
  • Principal offence
  • Duration of the prohibition
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Amount of fine
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Gender
  • Court
  • Age
  • Principal offence
  • Duration of the prohibition
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Sanction
  • Principal offence
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Sanction
  • Similarity of offences
  • Principal offence
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Court
  • Sentence
  • Principal offence
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Principal offence
  • Sentence
  • Gender
  • Age
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Offence group
  • Length of sentence
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Updated:

Future releases

Documentation

Description of the production, used methods and quality of the statistics.

Go to documentation of the statistics

Referencing instructions

Prosecutions, sentences and punishments [online publication].
Reference period: 2022. ISSN=2343-1679. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [Referenced: 16.10.2024].
Access method:

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